The Dallas Wings are once again on the clock, poised to make the top pick in the WNBA draft, which comes with a substantial $500,000 payout.
The player chosen first overall will benefit significantly from the recent collective bargaining agreement, which was finalized last month. This contract promises a first-year salary nearly sevenfold higher than what last year’s top pick, Paige Bueckers, received. The second and third picks will also see significant earnings, taking home $466,913 and $436,016, respectively.
Meanwhile, selections in the second and third rounds will earn $270,000, surpassing the previous maximum salary under the old agreement.
The Wings have a few options for their top pick, including UConn guard Azzi Fudd, Spanish forward Awa Fam Thiam, and UCLA center Lauren Betts. These potential additions aim to strengthen a roster already featuring Bueckers.
Bueckers and Fudd share a history as teammates at UConn, where they played pivotal roles in clinching the national championship in 2025. Fam Thiam, at just 19, is making waves in Spain’s domestic league with her impressive skills.
Lauren Betts, standing at 6-foot-7, is among six UCLA players entering the draft. She was instrumental in leading the Bruins to their inaugural national championship just over a week ago. UCLA is on the brink of breaking UConn’s 2002 record of four players drafted in the first round, and they may even surpass Tennessee (2008), Notre Dame (2019), and South Carolina (2023), each of which saw five players selected overall.
Minnesota picks second with Seattle, Washington and Chicago rounding out the top five. Expansion teams Toronto and Portland pick next. The Tempo chose to have the higher pick in the college draft after winning a coin toss, giving the Fire the top choice in the expansion draft earlier this month.
Golden State is next with Washington owning the ninth and 11th picks. Indiana chooses between them. Connecticut, Atlanta, Seattle and the Sun close out the first round.
Watch the WNBA Draft Monday night on ESPN starting at 7 p.m. ET.
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